What Should I Do If I’m Injured On the Job?

When you arrive at work every day, you are expecting to have a safe and uneventful time. No matter where you work, whether in a cubicle or on a factory floor, you do have a chance of becoming injured. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 2.9 million people were injured at work in the year 2016. Falls and vehicle accidents are the top causes of workplace injury, but employees in all occupations are injured in a variety of ways.

If you are injured at work, do you know what to do? Here are some tasks you should complete if you are ever injured at work.

Fill out an incident report, no matter whatAn incident report is an important part of the injury reporting process. If you are hurt at work, even if it seems like you are not injured, fill out an incident report. Injuries from falls, slips, or trips are often not visible or felt for 24-48 hours after the initial incident. Having that report is important.

Write down in detail what happenedOn the incident report, as well as in your personal information file, write down the details of the incident. Did you fall because there was water on the floor? Did anyone see the incident? What happened right after the incident? These details could be important later on, so write them down while it is still fresh in your memory.

Seek medical attentionIf you are injured, seek medical attention. Some employers have an occupational nurse on staff while others may require you to visit a specific medical office. In any case, be sure you go to the doctor. Explain what happened and how you are feeling. Set follow up care appointments as recommended and stick to the schedule.

Find an experienced attorneyEven if you have a great relationship with your employer, it is always wise to seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney. The paperwork for worker compensation cases can add up quickly, and your insurance company can be reluctant to pay for medical bills in the meantime. Your attorney can help you navigate these confusing paths and get you the best outcome possible.

The team at O’Brien Law have decades worth of experience working for those who have been injured at work. Our unique experience allows us to advocate for our clients and take the confusion out of the process. Give us a call to set up your free consultation.